Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Despite the clouds and mist and then a steady light rain, nearly 100 people were on hand Monday in Oakwood Cemetery to pay their respects on Memorial Day.
The services, sponsored by Warsaw American Legion Post 49 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1126, featured patriotic music performed by the Warsaw Community High School Band, and keynote speaker, Rep. David Wolkins, (R-Winona Lake). The honor guarded consisted of members from Post 49 and Post 1126. A color guard from Boy Scout Troop 75, sponsored by the American Legion, also participated in the ceremonies.
"It is indeed an honor to be able to join you in the celebration of this Memorial Day. Celebration may not seem like an appropriate word to use in reference to this heartfelt day of remembering," Wolkins said. "But to me, the word celebration could not have a more appropriate use."
Wolkins pointed to the 131 intervening years between today and the first
Memorial Day in 1868 as evidence of the strength of our country and society - and the sacrifices made to ensure that strength.
"Since that time, more than one million brave servicemen and -women have lost their lives fighting for our nation," he said. "Today, we come together to honor their sacrifice - a sacrifice they unselfishly made so that we can continue to live in freedom.
"On that first Memorial Day, Gen. James A. Garfield spoke these words," Wolkins added. "'We do not know one promise those men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke. But we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the virtues of men and citizens. For the love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue.'"
Post 49 Adjutant Michael Davis said he was impressed with the number of people attending the memorial service.
"There were more people here today than there has been in a long time," he said. "It was heartening to see the support for our veterans."
